Posts Tagged ‘Custom Knits’

I didn’t realize that splitting up a pattern would basically necessitate retesting each portion – it’s easy to inadvertently change or overlook a detail in the process of breaking up the instructions for each clue, so the original pattern testing doesn’t guarantee accurate instructions. No major hiccups, just a lesson learned in tracking versions of a document.

Now the second clue has been published to Ravelry FGF Group, we can post our pictures of completed clue 1:

I’m loving the shades of green in this yarn, and I’m almost regretting not saving it for socks since the yarn has a delightful, firm and springy quality that would feel marvelous on the soles. Maybe I’ll have enough left over for a pair of short socks or slippers.

My cotton gloves are soooo pretty! I find it interesting that the stripes start with a knit row, yet appear to be just a purled row. If the first row were not knit in the contrast colour, the purled bumps would have been half white/half pink. Unfortunately, purling the second row means the technique to avoid “jogs” in circular stripes (lifting the stitch from the row below and knit with the first stitch when working the second round) doesn’t work. I plan to use duplicate stitch when sewing in my tail-ends to neaten up if necessary.

The second clue focuses on the thumb gusset. The increase stitches for thumb gussets are important. It doesn’t matter if you substitute your preferred method, but you should choose an increase that can be worked in mirrored pairs if you want to create a balanced “V” shape. You should also consider whether holes in or under the increased stitches are desirable. Although Mystique has small and large eyelets, I did not plan to have holes in the thumb shaping, so I chose lifted increases. Lifted increases can be worked right-leaning or left-leaning, and they do not make holes.

Lifted increases are easy-peasy but most things knit are easier when you’ve seen someone else do it. I’m posting a video here because all of the great tutorials I normaly refer to are either a little blurry, or they demonstrate the left-leaning increase incorrectly. I only have a wee, little, basic camera so I hope this little video (my first!) is good enough to be helpful.

Why oh why do I knit happily away for half a sweater, and then start worrying, will it fit? As the wif anxiety increases, the fun of knitting decreases, and eventually I wind up with a big pile of snoozing wip.

Well this year I will banish those wips, starting with March Basic. I started this cardigan in a lovely, soft merino: Cara Mia by Needful Yarns. Problem is, it curls dreadfully so I couldn’t tell if it was going to fit. Blocking and a ribbed band (knitted on last) will take care of the curling, but what about my wif anxiety in the meantime?

A dress form is the answer, and Wendy Bernard (Custom Knits) came to my rescue. A couple of rolls of duct tape, bag of stuffing, a sacrificial t-shirt, and a glass of wine is cheap enough. My husband offered to tape me up. Yes, smoothing out the tape can be fun, but doing the whole thing properly would test the patience of most non-knitting partners. He did pretty good, although I think my boobs got a little squished, and I’m sure the left one isn’t as bumpy as my body double turned out. I learned how important posture is too – you slouch, your tummy develops an “is she or isn’t she?” pregnant look….and if you do this while clad with duct tape, the look doesn’t go away when you stand up straight again (duct tape does not have much elasticity!) Still, I can now tell if my cardigan is going to meet in the middle, or gape so horribly, that I should frog it now. Although it has gotten somewhat wrinkled while snoozing in my wip cupboard, I think this looks OK:

Knitting Patterns

All proceeds from these knitting patterns are donated to March of Dimes. Please do not hesitate to let me know if you have questions on any of these designs.

Brain Wave - $4.00

180-210 yards fingering weight yarn; US 3/3.25mm needles for a small adult's beanie, US 5/3.75mm needles for a medium adult hat.

Diminutive Mitts - $4.00

90-120 yards fingering weight yarn; US 4/3.5mm needles. These gloves use a tiny amount of yarn, perfect gift when done in a luxurious yarn. Pictured glove was made using Plymouth Earth Ecco Silk.

Bill's Gloves & Scarf - $4.00

140 - 390 yards worsted weight yarn; US 8/5.0 mm and US 5/3.75 mm needles. Pattern is sized for men and women. Squishy and warm, these gloves fit great and are super for gaming, counting money, or texting in the cold.

Hot August Nights - $4.00

110 - 150 yards of cobweb or laceweight yarn; US 5/3.75 mm needle. With such a large needle and skinny yarn, this glove is a little tricky to start, but this is actually a fairly quick knit. The glove is lighter-than-air, and oh so pretty!